Astronaut Victor Glover is the latest in a long line of Black American explorers − including York, the enslaved man who played a key role in the Lewis and Clark expedition

Victor Glover will become the first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon – but he is part of a long line of Black explorers, many forgotten through history. New research is giving York his due.

By: Craig Fehrman, Indiana University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 1, 2026

Words: 1,323

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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By Craig Fehrman, Indiana University

In April 2026, four astronauts are scheduled to fly around the Moon. As part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, they will become the first humans to do so in half a century. One crew member, pilot Victor Glover, will become the first Black astronaut to ever orbit the Moon.

Glover’s achievement is worth celebrating. But it’s also worth remembering that he belongs to a long and underappreciated history. America’s …

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